Black Fox School

Family Engagement Plan

Goal Statement:  Encourage and maintain effective relationships between school and community.

 Objective 1:  Provide timely communication concerning school curriculum, assessments and events.

 Action Plan:

1. A monthly calendar will be sent to all parents and employees to provide information about upcoming events and an overview of what is happening at Black Fox.
2. Parents will receive some type of communication from their child’s teacher prior to the first day of school
3. Open House will be held to inform parents about school procedures, curriculum, achievement test results, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet.
4. A school website will be provided.
5. A Student-Parents Folder will be provided that explains school policies and procedures, provides a yearly calendar of events, and other pertinent information.
6. Students in grades 4 and 5 will be provided with agendas to list school assignments and be utilized as communication tool between the teacher, parent and student.
7. A school sign in front of the school will provide announcements of upcoming events.
8. Parent-teacher conferences will be held yearly.
9. Notes will be sent home, or phone calls made to address specific student needs or school activities.
10. Teachers will initiate ongoing communication with parents.

Objective2:  Promote family and community participation in school activities.

Action Plan:

1. The school will sponsor a PTO and hold meetings.
2. Volunteers will be solicited for school needs.
3. An orientation will be held to educate volunteers about policies and procedures of the school and to teach them how to use the office machines.
4. Notes and phone calls to solicit help will be made
5. A plethora of opportunities to participate will be held such as the school play, clerical duties, field day, coaching sports teams, tutoring students, and field trips.
6. A Ruritan Club will meet at the school monthly, conduct activities, and support school functions.
7. Bradley Memorial Hospital, Bank of Cleveland, and Staples are formal business partners with Black Fox and provide support for the school.
8. Parents are invited to eat lunch and/or breakfast with their children as desired.
9. Musicians Among Us and An Evening of Poetry encourage parents and community members to showcase their talents.
10. One morning each year is dedicated to mothers.  Students invite their mothers to eat breakfast with them and share a book together in the library.
11. One morning each year is dedicated to area pastors.  Students invite their pastors to eat breakfast at the school with them.
12. One morning each year is dedicated to fathers.  Students invite their fathers to eat breakfast with them and share a book together in the library.
13. One morning each year is dedicated to grandparents.  Students invite their grandparents to eat breakfast at the school with them.
14. Awards will be presented yearly at the Honor’s Banquet for the Volunteer of the Year and the Black Fox Hero (a community member that has been instrumental in providing support for our school.)

Objective 3:  Provide a curriculum-based activities to be utilized at home to enable and encourage parents to participate in their child’s education.

Action Plan: 

1. A Home School Connection newsletter will be sent monthly.
2. Reading Recovery students will practice strategies at home.
3. Websites will be provided with educational information.
4. Family Reading Night will be held weekly to provide opportunities for families to read together in the library after regular school hours.
5. The 4-H program will provide for projects and activities to be shared and constructed at home.
6. Kindergarten and First grade will provide a reading and math training night to educate parents on working wit their children at home.
7. Parents will be provided the opportunity for computer training.

Objective 4:  Provide parent and community opportunities to give input concerning school needs and goals.

Action Plan:

1. Yearly surveys will be completed by parents and community members.
2. The Parent Advisory Board will meet with the director of schools biannually to discuss school needs and goals.
3. Parents will serve on the Reading is Fundamental team.
4. Parents will serve on the Accelerated Reader team.
5. Parents will serve on the School Improvement Team for collaborative decision-making.
6. Parents are invited to observe in their child’s classroom.
7. Parents are encouraged to contact the school at any time to schedule a conference with any staff member.
8. The school wide Parent Compact will be reviewed and updated annually with input from parents and staff.

Objective 5:  Coordinate community services with student’s needs.

Action Plan:

1. Our school counselor works with Hiwassee Mental Heath Services and the Department of Human Services to meet student needs.
2. The Lion’s Club does vision screenings each year.
3. The Scottish Rites Organization provides shoes for needy students.
4. Our church partners (Freedom Fellowship, Heritage Fellowship, and Westmore Church of God) provide for building needs and student needs.
5. First United Methodist Church provides clothing and school supplies for needy students.
6. The Creating Christmas Memories Program provides Christmas gifts for needy students.
7. North Cleveland Church of Goad provides Big City University, an after school program, for needy students.
8. The Hudson Foundation provides coats for needy families.

Evaluation:  Evaluation and success will be based on the completion of each activity in the Action Plan listed above.  A survey will also be distributed to parents each year to determine effectiveness of Community and Family Engagement.